Valve control for well tools



Oct. 2, 1951 R. c. BAKER VALVE CONTROL FOR WELL TOOLS Filed April v26, 1946 INVENTOR .PEZ/BEN C. B14/".4519,`

@aw MJ ATTORNEY forations.

Patented Oct.' 2, 1951 VALVE CONTROL FOR" WELL TOOLS Reuben C. `Baker, Coalinga, Calif., assignor to Baker Oil T9015, .,lnc., Vernon, Calif., a. corpo- Arationjof California Application April 26, 1946, vSerial No. 665,174

' (c1. 1st-1) V1:8 Claims- This invention relates to well tools, and more particularly to well packer Yvalve mechanisms! employed in the cementingacidizing, testing, washing, production, etc., of oil and gas wells.

It is an object of the present invention to provide awell tool embodying an .improved val-ve4 mechanism for controlling flow of uidsfin the tool. Y

A further object'of the invention `is to facilitate the movement of a-valve in a well .tool between Y come apparent from a consideration of the` embodiment shown in the Adrawings accompanying and forming 'part Vof the present specication. This form 'will now be described 'fin YVdetail, but itis to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limited sense-since the scope of the invention is best denedby the claims appendedlhereto. Y

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through -the well tool positioned in 'a well easing, with parts of the valve device one position;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sec-tion through the valve device, with its vparts ina secondposition;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section through the valve device, `with its-parts in a third` position;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the slotted lock sleeve; and 'Y Figure 5 is a crosssection,"ta`ken along -the line 5--5 in Figure 1.

The invention is ldisclosed in the drawings as applied to la well packer of thejtype designed to yforce fluid under pressure through casing jperf- It to be iunderstoodphowever, that it has application lto any Atype of tubularwell tool through or 4from which fluid `flow isptov be controlled.

Specicallmthe vwell tool consists of`a bodyV IIIIk suitably secured, 'as by threading, to the Vlower end of a string of tubing or drill pipe H, b y'means of which the Vtool is -conveyed through the-well casing I2 to the desired operating point. The body consists of an upper 'bodx7 member. 13, '3a lower body member 14, and an intermediatebody member 'f5 connecting th'eupperhand'lower ,mernf -beis together in 'spaced' relation. "The general type of well tool shown a packer described and claimed in the patent application oi Charles E. CostelloSeral,No. 391,543, filed May 2, 1941 for Well Devices/now Patent No. 2,466,305. Specic constructional featuresare also .described .and claimed vin my application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 665,811, filed April 29, 1946, entitled Well Packers, now Patent l\lo.,2,5o2,()'79 .granted July 24, 1951.

The .upper and lower portions of the tool are substantial duplicates, being connected :to ,the intermediate body member I5 in opposed ,relation. A description of the upper portion Should suiice for the lower portionas well.

The upper body member VI 3 includesan elongate mandrel or nipple 1.6 having a sub I1 screwed on its upper end and .a lower ported .sub vl8,secured to its lower end. One or more packing .cups .I9 of rubber or similar material are suitably secured on the mandrel with the lower cups facingdown- Wardly. These packing cups are adapted Afor slidable sealing engagement with the wall of Vthe well casing I2 to prevent upward flowof vfluid between theupper body member vI 3 Vand the v,casing wall.

/An upper by-pass tube v20 is positioned within Vthe kupper body member to provide :an annular space 2| therewith. Its upper end is threaded into a by-pass -T 22, which is suitably secured, as by welding, to the upper by-.pass V,sub I'l, through which it opens outwardly into the tubingcasing .annulus 23 above the upper packings I9. The lower end of the by-pass tube v25J extends through an inner flange 24 on the lower sub I8, con-taining -a rod packing V25 pressed in leakproof engagement against the exterior `of .the tube by a suitable packing nut 26 to prevent vdownward `flow -of iiuid through the annulus v2| beyond the flange 24.

As stated above, the construction xof the lower tool portion is substantially the same yas the upper, with the parts facing in the opposite diirection, so that fluid passage between the lower :body member and casing -wall'in a downward direction is prevented, and upward Iilow of `fluid through the lower -annulus 2 Ia 4beyond theange 24a vis prevented bythe `flange 24a, packing 25a and packing ynut 26a surrounding the lower bypass tube 20a. For Yconvenience of designation, jthelower parts are numberedthe vsame as the corresponding upper parts, with 'the `suix "a," added. Y y The'upper and lower 'tool portions areheldtogether vin spaced relation by `the "intermediate body member vI 5 lwhich actually forms part -'ofthe by-pass of the tool. This intermediate body member is secured to the upper and lower subs I3, IBa., and may be made of any length desired, depending upon the spacing required between the upper and lower packing cups I9, Ia. The bypass around the packings extends from a point outside the tool below the lowermost packing I9a to a point outside the tool above the uppermost packing I9. More specifically, this by-pass passage is constituted by the lower T 22a, lower bypass tube 26a, intermediate body member I5, upper by-pass tube 20, and upper by-pass T 22.

The upper sub I8 is provided with one or more upper outlets or ports 21 adjacent the packing cup I9 and flange 24, and the lower sub ISa is similarly provided with one or more lower outlets or ports 21a adjacent the lower packing cup I9a and flange 24a. Fluid cannot pass directly from the upper body annulus 2| to the lower body annulus Zia, because of the flanges and packings *around the by-pass tubes, but must pursue an indirect course. The fluid may be pumped downwardly through the tubing II in to the upper body member annulus 2l, exiting through the upper ports 21 into the localized annular zone 28 defined by the upper and lower packings I9, ISa, and by the intermediate body The fluid may then pass through the valve outlets or ports 3U in the housing to the exterior of the tool below the lower packing cups Ia, from where it may flow upwardly into the lower bypass T 22a, through the lower by-pass tube 29a, intermediate by-pass body member I5, upper bypass tube 20, and upper by-pass T 22 into the tubing-casing annulus 23 above the upper packing cups I9;

The allowing of the fluid to pursue the course just described is dependentpupon the control in the ow of uid through the valve ports at Vthe lower end of the tool. Such control is obtained throughja valve mechanism 39a including .a valve stem 3l within the housing on which a packing of the piston type is secured. Specically, the vpiston Valve consists of the valve stem 3l, with a generally cylindrical type packing sleeve'32 mounted ,thereon between end plates or washers 33, and with a suitable clamp nut 34 threaded on the upper end of the stem to hold theA piston packing firmly in placeon the stem Vor piston rod 3 I Y The valve stem 3I -has a depending rod extension 35 secured to it surrounded by a lock sleeve 36 xed yto and extending from the valve 'body or housing 29. The lower end of the rod extension is attached to a drag device 31, which, in the present instance, consists of a lower collar 38 and guide 39 threaded'on the rod, with a plurality of outwardly bowed spaced drag springs 40 secured to the lower-'collar 38 and extending upwardly for attachment to an upper collar 4I slidably mounted on thelock sleeve 35.

The drag device 31 resists movement of the rod extension 35, valve stem 3I and piston 32 in both longitudinal directions within the casing I2. That is, downward movement of the tubing string II and attached body I0 of the tool tends to move the valve body or housing 29 downwardlywith respect tov the lpiston valve 33a,

causing the piston valve to move relatively in an upward direction. Similarly, elevating of the tubing string, body and valve housing tends to cause the piston valve to move relatively in a downward direction.

The positions of the piston valve 30a in the valve housing 29, and with respect to the valve ports 30, are determined positively by a lock device. In the present instance, this device includes a lock pin 42 secured to the rod extension 35 and extending into a lock slot 43 formed in the sleeve 36. This slot has an upper lateral or transverse portion 44, which will receive the pin 42 and hold the piston 32 in an uppermost position; an intermediate transverse or lateral slot portion 45, which will receive the pin and correspondingly hold the piston 32 in an intermediate position; and alower terminal portion 4B, which limits the extent of relative downward movement of the piston 32 in the valve housing 29. The left ends of the upper and intermediate lateral portions 44, 45 (as seen in Figure 4) are'connected by a' longitudinal slot 41 and the right end 'of the intermediate slot portion 45 has a depending longitudinal slot 48 whose bottom end forms the lower terminus 46.

When the lock Apin 42 is located within the upper transverse slot portion 44, the piston' 32 is positioned within an upper valve chamber 49 whose inside diameter is greater than the outside diameter of the piston 32. Fluid may pass in eitherV direction between the lower body annulus 2Ia and the Valve outlets or ports 33 (see Figure l) When it is desired to close these ports and prevent such passage of fluid, the tubing string II is turned in the proper direction, as to the left, to position the lock pin 42 (which is being held stationary by engagement ofthe drag springs 43 with the casing) in alignment with the upper `longitudinal slot 41, as seen in Figure 4. Thereafter, elevation of the tubing string elevates the entire tool, with the exceptionY of the piston 32, valve stem-3| and drag device 31, and allows the pistonV 32 to move relatively downwardlyinto a cylindrical seat 50 positioned immediately lbelow the upper chamber 49. The proper positioning of the piston'within this seat is determined by engagement of the lock pin 42 with the lower surface 45a of the lower transverse slot 45. The inside diameter of the cylindrical seat 50 is substantially the same as the outside diameter of the Apiston 32, to effect a leak-proof seal therebetween, preventing passage of uid-around the piston and closing the valve outlets or ports 3|] from fluid communication with-the lower body member annulus 2Ia (see Figure 2).

YThe valve ports3n may be reopened by a continuance of the relative downward movement of the piston 32 with respect to the valve housing 29. The tubing string andwell packer, with the exception of the drag device 31 and connected internal valve parts 35, 3I, 32, may be rotated to theiright, or opposite to the direction of rotation previously mentioned, until the lock pin 42 aligns with the lower longitudinal slot'43 (as seen in Figure 4). Thereafter, the tubing string and tool'are elevated and the piston 32 moved relatively downwardly within the valve housing 29 to. an extent limited by engagement of the lock pin 42 with the lower terminus 43 of the lower longitudinal slot. When in this position the piston .32 is-located within a lower valve chamber 5I, whose inside diameter is greater than .the outside Vdiameter of,Y the piston, permittasca-43?? ting :'uid .to by-pass i'around'the piston .and how between the valve porlts 30 land the lower .bod-y :memberiannulus 21a .(see .Figure 3)..

.From Lthe'fforegoingdesoription of the appairatus, vtbecomes apparent .that .the valve .may be moved Vfrom.'a'n-.'open `position to aclosedpos'iition, iand then again to va..newfopenposition, upon .movement of the .piston-3.2 vinaprogressive downiward direction. Of course, by yreversing the -movements described above .in connection with icontrol of .the valvemechanism, the V.piston could be. .caused to .move :upwardly from 1an open posi- .tion `tosaclosed .p'ositionto fan .upper open .posi- '.tion again, or .the -pistonneed 'only be moved be- .tweenonly two .of .the positions, depending upon -the operation .being :performed .in the well Vbore land the conditions encountered.

'Theadvantages of the arrangement may -perlhaps .abe 'understood by describing the perform- `tance of fa .'oementingioperation with the Stool in la well casing. .If .cement .slurry .is to be ypumped vthrough casing -p'erforationst .the :tool is lowered fon-.the tubing-string to a position in which `theupper packing cups 1'9 are located :above the :upper end ofthe perforations .'52 -.and the vlower packing jcups 19a .b'lowthe lower end of .the 'perforations. While running the tool v'in the well Sboreto this position,the1piston valve-3a is prefierablyinits uppermost position, as .shown in Figyure. l., which permits'fluid fto pass upwardly `into the tool through 'the valve outlets 30, filling the -lower body'm'ember v.annulus 2 la, thence passing loutwardly through the `lower outlet 27a into the localized annular zone28, flowing through the flipper ports 21 .into andthrough theupper body -memberannulus 2 |,'for.upward passage through :thetubing :string AI l. Also, during this lowering operation, fluid may by-epass'saround the packing members I9, 19a :byrowing'into and through the lower .by-pass T:22a., lower tube 29a, intermediate body .by-.passmember I'npperltube 28 and upper T522, and into .the upper tubing-casing annulus 23.

The required `amount :of rcement `slurry is pumped into v.the tubing string Il and started down .the.hole. .The Ifluid in the tubing ahead of the fslurry passes downwardly around the by- .pass 'T 22 and through .the upper body .annulus .2l and outlet 21 intoithe :localized zone =2 8, .thence through thelower ports 21a into the lower body annulus 2 la, .from where '.'thefluidpasses l.around the exterior of 'the .lower .by-pass 'T '22a into the 4valve housing 29, exiting from the tool through the `valve ports 30 iand then iiowing upwardly .around the valve housing 29,'entering the lower p "end of' the by-.pass and flows .upwardly through the by-pass 22a, 12011, I15,2-.0,'22 into and through the 'casing-tubing annulus23towards the top of the Well bore.

When 'the lower fen'd 'of .the charge of cement 4slurry reaches the .'tool, thetubing string is rotated apartial revolution to the left to position '.the flock pin l42inaligmnent with the upper lon- Evgitudinal slot 41,".w'hereuponl elevation ofrthe'tublingstringsseveral inches, say two or three inches, :moves the piston 32 relatively downwardly into the cylindrical-:seat 50, 'as determined `by engagement lof the. l'ock`pin142 with the lower` wall 45a of the lowertransverse slot 45. When the piston in this position, the valve ports vz'ii. -are closed 'and Ano Vfurther fluid kcan vpass .into .and through the rlower body `member annulus 21a. The ce- Fment slurry is, accordinglmiorced to `pursue a course down 'through the upper tbody member annulus 2| fand out through the :upper :ports .21

iinto .thelflocalizedrzone `28; from wheretit is vforced `ou'twardlyrthrough the vcasing rperforati'ons .52 .to the exterior of the casing fstring. The closed valve lprecludes .flow of the iiuidtthrough the lowerportion I4 .of 'thetool `After 'the required ,amount o'f cement slurry .has been .pumped v"or'forced through the casing .perforations L52, .any excess cement .slurry may be cleared from the tubing string I.I, tool lil and localized zone .2B by turning `the tubing string to thefright .to .positionthe lock pin 42 in alignment .with the lower longitudinal slot 48, and by elevating the tubing string several inches to position the piston '32 in the lower valve chamber 5I, which permits flow of fluid around the piston 32 and through the valve ports 3D. The excess cement slurry may now be pumped from the tubing string vI l, upper body member annulus 2| and localized zone 28 into the .lower body outlet 21a for downward passage through the lower body annulus 21a and valve body'Z, passing out throughthe ports 30 for upward passage into and through the by-pass 22a, 29u., l5, 2t, 22, 'from where the excess cement slurry and any other tluids may be pumped upwardly through the casing-tubing annulus 23 to the top of the well bore.

If desired, the excess cement slurry may be circulated-from the 'tool by reverse .flow of zfluid. That is, the flushing or Washing fluid may be pumped downwardly through the casing-tubing vannulus 23 -entering fthe upper end of the by-pass and flowing down through'the Jby-pass to a point below the packing cups, from where the fluid may pass into the tool through the valve ports 30, flowing upwardly through the valve housing 29 -and lower body member annulus 2 la .and through the lower body ports'21a into the localized `zone 28, passingupwardly through this zone vand back through the upper body ports "21 into and through the upper body annulus 2l and tubing string Il, carryingthe excess .cement slurry to .the top of the well bore 'for appropriate disposition.

Control vof the valve is dependent .upon the frictional resistance offered by the drag device 3f? against the wall of the casing. In the event that a large quantity of excess cement slurry remains in the Ytubing Istring after the cementing operation has been performed, it might be diflicu-lt to 're-'elevate the piston valve 30a from its cylindrical fseat 50 into the 'upper chamber 49, in order to open the valve ports 3D and permit 'the'.excess cement 'slurry to be flushed from .the tubing string and the tool. The hydrostatic head -of the cement slurry would be pressing downwardly on the'piston valve 30a, and wouldtend to keep it in a downward position. The resisting force of the friction springs against the wall of the casing I2 would'be insuiiicient to overcome the pressure effect ofthe heavier cement slurry in the tubing string. The present invention obviates the need forso elevating the piston by causing the hydrostatic head to assist in the movement of the piston to valve opening position. lAll that isrequired 'is lto turn the tool a partial revolution to the right, when the piston valve `is in its closed position, and the hydrostatic head acting downwardly on the' upper end of the piston valve aids in pushing it downwardly into the lower valve chamber 5I, in which position the Valve ports 30 kare open. The excess cement slurry can, accordingly, be readily flushed from the tubing string and .tool either` by circulating down through the tubing string Il or by circulating down through the .tubing-casing annulus .23, as .described above.

It is, therefore, apparent that a valve control for a well tool has been disclosed which is readily movable between open and closed positions under all conditions of operation encountered in a well bore. The valve arrangement is such that the pressure of the fluid in the tubing string itself assists in shifting the valve from open to closed position and also from closed position to open position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A well tool, including tubular means adapted to be lowered in a Well bore and having an open outlet through which well fluid can flow between the interior and exterior of said tubular means when said tubular means is in the well bore, means for controlling fluid flow through said outlet comprising a valve housing forming part of said tubular means, said housing having an upper chamber and an intermediate seat above said outlet and a lower chamber below said intermediate seat, a piston valve movable in said housing to locations within said chambers and in sealing engagement with said seat, said piston valve being spaced laterally from the walls of said chambers when disposed in said chambers to provide a passage for fluid around said piston valve from the interior of said tubular means through said outlet, said piston valve preventing such fluid iicw when positioned in sealing engagement with said seat, and means depending from and connected to said piston valve for er"n fecting relative movement of said piston valve in said housing between said chambers and seat.

2. A well tool, including tubular means adapted to be lowered in a well bore and having an open outlet through which well fluid can flow between the interior and exterior of said tubular means when said tubular means is in the well bore, means for controlling iuid flow through said outlet comprising a valve housing forming part of said tubular means, said housing having an upper chamber, an intermediate seat, and a lower chamber, a piston valve in said housing, and coengaging means connected to said piston valve and tubular means for selectively and positively locating said piston valve within either of said chambers or in sealing engagement with said seat, said piston valve being spaced laterally from the walls of said chambers when disposed in said chambers to provide a passage for uid flow around said piston valve from the interior `of said tubular means through said outlet, said piston valve preventing such fluid flow when positioned in sealing engagement with said seat.

3. A well tool, including tubular means adapted to be lowered in a well bore and having an outlet through which well fluid can flow between the interior and exterior of said tubular means when said tubular means is in the well bore, said tubular means comprising an upper chamber, an intermediate cylindrical seat, and a lower chamber, said chambers and seat being communicable with said outlet, an imperforate piston valve in said tubular means, and means for selectively locating said piston valve within either of said chambers or in sealing engagement with said cylindrical seat, said piston valve being spaced laterally from the walls of said chambers to provide a passage for fluid flow around said piston valve from the interior of said tubular means through said outlet when said piston valve is positioned within either of said chambers, such fluid flow being prevented when said 8 piston valve is positioned in sealing engagement with said cylindrical seat.

4. A well tool, including tubular means adapted to be lowered in a well bore and having an open outlet through which Well fluid can flow between the interior and exterior of said tubular means when said tubular means is in the well bore, said tubular means comprising an upper chamber, an intermediate cylindrical seat and a lower chamber, said chambers and seat being communicable with one another and with said outlet, a cylindrical valve in said tubular means movable progressively from said upper chamber into sealing engagement with said cylindrical seat and from said cylindrical seat into said lower chamber, said cylindrical valve being spaced laterally from the walls of said chambers when disposed in said chambers to provide a passage for fluid flow around said cylindrical valve from the interior of said tubular means through said outlet, said cylindrical valve preventing such fluid iiow when positioned in sealing engagement with said seat, and means depending from and connected to said cylindrical Valve for effecting movement of said cylindrical valve in said tubular means between said chambers and seat.

5. A Well tool, including tubular means adapted to be connected to a tubular string for lowering in a well bore; said tubular means having an outlet, an upper chamber and intermediate cylindrical seat above said outlet, and a lower chamber; said tubular means having an inlet for receiving nuid from the tubular string and which inlet communicates with said upper chamber; said chambers and seat being communicable with one another and with said outlet; a piston valve in said tubular means movable progressively from said upper chamber into sealing engagement with said cylindrical seat and from said cylindrical seat into said lower chamber; Vsaid piston valve being spaced laterally of said chambers when disposed in said chambers to allow iiuid flow from the interior of said tubular means through said outlet and to prevent such fluid iiow when positioned in sealing engagement with said seat; and means secured to said piston valve for resisting its movement within said well bore to allow said tubular means to be moved by the tubular string relative to the piston Valve to locate said piston valve in said chambers and in sealing engagement with said seat.

6. A well tool, including tubular means adapted to be connected to a tubular string for lowering in a well casing; said tubular means having an outlet, an upper chamber and intermediate cylindrical seat above said outlet, V and a lower chamber; said chambers and seat being communicable with one another and with said outlet; a piston valve in said tubular means movable progressively from said upper chamber into sealing engagement with said cylindrical seat and from said cylindrical seat into said lower chamber; said piston valve havingl an outside diameter less than the inside diameters of said chambers and substantially equal to the inside diameter of said cylindrical seat; and friction means secured to said piston valve and frictionally engageable with the well casing.

7. A well tool, including tubular means adapted to be connected to a tubular string for lowering in a well bore; said tubular means having'an outlet, an upper chamber and intermediate cylindrical seat above said outlet and a lower chamber; said tubular means having an inlet for reaticaeev ceiving fluid Kfrom .the tubular 'string and which inlet communicates with said upper chamber; said 'chambers and seat being "communicable with one another vandwith.said outlet; and a Apiston valve in said tubular means movable 'progressively from -saidupper chamber into sealing engagement 'with' said Ycylindrical seat 'and from said cylindrical seat into said lower chamber; said piston valve having an outside diameter less than the :inside diameters "of said chambers and substantially/.equal to ithe linsidie diameter of said cylindrical seat.'

8. A well tool; includingitubular'means adapted to be connected to a tubular `string for flowering in a well bore; said tubular -means :having an outlet; an upper chamber, an intermediate vcylindrical seat, anda lower chamber; said ytubular means having an inlet for receiving fluid from the tubular string and which linlet communicates with said upper chamber; :said chambers and seat being communicable with one 'another vand with said outlet; a fpisto'n valve in said. tubular means adapted to fbe located'withi-'n said upper chamber, cylindrical seat, and lower' chamber; said piston valve `'having an "outside diameter less than the inside y'diameters of saidv chambers and substantially equal to the inside diameter vof said cylindrical seat, and means depending from and connected to said piston valve for effecting relative movement of said piston valve in said tubular means between said chambers and seat.

9. A well tool; including tubular'means adapted to be connected to a tubular string for lowering in a well bore; said tubular means having an outlet, lan upper chamber, an intermediate cylindrical -seat, and -a lower chamber; said tubular means having van -inlet for receiving fluid from the tubular string'and which -in'let communicates with said upper chamber; said vchambers 'and seat being communicable with one another and with said outlet; a piston valve in said tubular means selectively positionable within said upper chamber, cylindrical seat, or lower chamber; said piston valve having an outside diameter less than the inside diameters of said chambers and .i

substantially equal to the inside diameter of said cylindrical seat; and coengaging means connected to said piston Valve and tubular means for positively locating said piston valve in each of said selective positions to which it has been moved in said tubular means.

10. A well packer; including a tubular body adapted to be connected to a tubular string for lowering in a well casing; valve means for controlling fluid now in said body, comprising a i valve housing secured to said body and having an upper chamber, an intermediate cylindrical seat, a lower chamber and an outlet to the exterior of said housing; said chambers and seat being communicable with one another and with said outlet and interior of said body; a piston valve in said housing; means for selectively positioning said piston valve within said upper chamber, cylindrical seat, or lower chamber; said piston valve having an outside diameter less than the inside diameters of said chambers and substantially equal to the inside diameter of said cylindrical seat.

ll. A well packer; including a tubular body adapted to be connected to a tubular string for lowering in a well casing; said body having packing means thereon for effecting a seal with the wall of said casing; valve means for controlling fluid flow conditions in said body, comprising a valve housing secured to said body and having an upper chamber, an .intermediate cylindrical seat, a lower chamber and an outlet below said upper chamber and seat forrning 'a passage between the interior and exterior of said housing; said chambers and seatbeing communicable with one vanother 'and with said outlet and interior of said body; a cylindrical valve in said housing; and means for selectively Vpositioning said cylindrical valve within said upper chamber, cylindrical seat, or lower chamber; said cylindrical valve being spaced laterally from said chambers when disposed in said chambers to allow fluid how from the interior of said body through said outlet and to `prevent such fluid iiow when positioned 'within and in sealing engagement with said cylindrical seat.

12. A well packer; including a 'tubular body adapted to be connected 'to a tubular string for lowering in a well casing; said body having longitudinally spaced packing means thereon for effecting a seal with the wall o'f said casing.; fsaid body having ported means establishing communication between'the interior of said body and its exterior between said packing means; valve f means vfor controlling fluid 'now in said body and through said ported means, comprising a valve housing "secured tosaid-b'ody and having an upper chamber, an intermediate cylindrical seat, a lower chamber and an outlet below said upper chamber and seat forming a passage between 'the interior and exterior ofsaid'housing; said chambers and seat being communicable with one another and with said outlet 'and interior of said body; a piston valve infsaid housing; means 'for selectively positioning 'said piston valve within said upper chamber, cylindrical seat or lower chamber; said piston valve `having van outside.

diameter substantially equal 5to' the inside diameter of said cylindrical seat and less lthan *the inside diameters of said chambers.

13. A well packer as defined in claim 12; said selective positioning means including friction means secured to said piston valve for frictional engagement with the wall of the casing.

14. A well packer; including a tubular body adapted to be connected to a tubular string for lowering in a well casing; said body having longitudinally spaced packing means thereon for eiecting a seal with the Wall of said casing; said i body having ported means establishing communication between the interior of said body and its exterior between said packing means; valve means for controlling fluid flow in said body and through said ported means, comprising a valve housing secured to said body and having an upper chamber, an intermediate cylindrical seat, a lower chamber and an outlet below said upper chamber and seat forming a passage between the interior and exterior of said housing; said chambers and seat being communicable with one another and with said outlet and interior of said body; a piston valve in said housing; means for selectively positioning said piston valve within said upper chamber, cylindrical seat or lower chamber; said piston valve having an outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of said cylindrical seat and less than the inside diameters of said chambers; and means for positively locating said piston valve in each of said selective positions in said housing.

l5. A well packer; including a tubular body adapted to be connected to a tubular string for lowering in a well casing; said body having longitudinally spaced packing means thereon for eiTecting a seal with the walls of said casing;

111A said body having ported. means establishing com-` munication between the interior of said body and its exterior between said packing means; means providing a by-pass through said body from a point externally thereof below said lower packing means to a point externally of said body above said upper packing means; valve means below said ported means for controlling fluid ow in said body, comprising a valve housing secured to said bodyv and having an upper chamber, an intermediate cylindrical seat, a lower chamber and an outlet below said upper chamber and seat forming a passage between the interior and exterior of 'said housing below said lower packing means; said chambers and seat being communicable with one another and with said outlet and interior of said body; a piston valve in said housing; means for selectively positioning said piston valve within said upper chamber, cylindrical seat or lower chamber; said piston valve having an outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of said cylindrical seat and less than the inside diameters of said chamber.

16. A well packer, as defined in claim l5; said selective positioning means including friction means secured to said piston valve and engageable with the wall of the casing.

17. A Well tool, including tubular means adapted to be lowered in a well bore and having an outlet, means for controlling fluid flow through said outlet comprising a valve housing having an upper chamber and an intermediate seat above said outlet and a lower chamber below said intermediate seat, a piston valve in said 35 housing adapted to be located within said chambers and in sealing engagement with said seat, said piston valve being spaced laterally from the walls of said chambers when disposed in said chambers to allow iiuid ow from the interior 'of said tubular means through said outlet and to prevent such fluid ow when positioned in sealing engagement with said seat, and means operatively connected to said piston valve below said lower chamber for enabling said piston valve and housing to be moved longitudinally relativ to each other. Y

18. A well tool; including tubular means adapted to be connected to a tubular string for lowering in a well casing; said tubular means having an outlet, an upper chamber and intermediate cylindrical seat above said outlet, and a lower chamber; said chambers and seat being communicable with one another and with said outlet; a piston valve in said tubular means movable progressively from said upper chamber into sealing engagement with said cylindrical seat and from said cylindrical seat into said lower chamber; said piston valve having a diameter diierent from the diameters' of said chambers to provide iiuid paths between said piston valve and chambers when said piston Valve is in said chambers, said piston Valve being substantially equal in diameter to the diameter of said cylindrical seat; and means secured to said piston valve and engageable with the well' casing.

' REUBEN C. BAKER.'

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,180,935 Dumble Nov. 21, 1939 2,290,441 McGaffey July 2l, 1942 2,301,624 Holt Nov. l0, 1942 2,466,305 Costello Apr. 5, 1949 

